22?

Today is my birthday. I have officially spent 22 years on earth. I'm thankful, don't get me wrong, but...I'm 22 now. If you didn't know, 22 is pretty old. From here on out, there's not really an exciting age. I mean, I might as well be 35. Ok, that's not true :)

A few years ago, If you would have asked me where I thought I would be at the age of 22, I don't think I would have said here. I thought for sure I would have my own place to live, a husband, a deeper relationship with Christ, and I probably wouldn't have said I would have dull short hair, and live in Alice. But...I do. And it's okay. I'm here for a reason. I don't have a husband for a reason. I don't work in a Christian environment for a reason. The reason's aren't always clear yet, but, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and I am choosing to be thankful.  I'm too blessed not to be thankful.

Here's to another 22 years :) I'm sure when I'm 44 I'll be exactly where I picture myself  where God wants me.

Happy Graduation time, Baby Sister!!

Sunburst Celebrations Red Graduation Announcement

Shutterfly graduation announcements and gifts.
View the entire collection of cards.

life's a trip (pun intended)

I left etbu yesterday after a long week! I'm so glad I got to take a little break from good ol' alice, texas. It was much needed!

There's just something different about going back to visit after you've graduated. It's a weird feeling. I love that I didn't have to go to class, but...I definitely feel like I just don't belong anymore (because I don't I guess). I was a little sad to leave, but...it was kind of closure. Closure that I needed. Since I've been home I've been sad because I didn't feel like I was ready to graduate. This trip confirmed to me that my time at ETBU was fun, but it's definitely over, and I shouldn't be missing it too much. I miss the memories and friends I've made along the way of course, but...It confirmed to me that I was ready to graduate, and it's time to move on.

Here are some highlights of my trip:

1. Dinner with the fabulous Karlee Wilson. I really, really enjoyed seeing her and catching up. It's nice to talk to someone who is in the same boat as you...it was comforting, encouraging, and super good for my [lately sad] heart. I wish we had taken a picture together. So thankful to call Karlee my friend. Haven't laughed that much in a while :) 

2. Lunch with Chelsi, Chelsi Pitts! So great to reminisce and enjoy each other's company. I hadn't spent time with her in a LONG time, and it was super fun! She was beyond encouraging to me.

3. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Alyssa!! Lyss was definitely my best friend in college, and every minute i get to spend with her makes me more thankful for her presence in my life. I'm thankful that I know I can always depend on her. She is going to be the best nurse ever :)

4. I got to see the boyfriend! Had a good time, as usual!! We even got some semi-cute pictures together! He can really make me laugh harder than almost anyone!

{praying for him and all his hard school work!}

5. I got to see my sister Glory a little bit! My family means the world to me...we're pretty much all besties, so...it's always a joy to get to see her :)

{love you, big sis}

  6. I got to be at etbu for tiger awards! Always entertaining! :)

{let me tell you...i love this girl! so funny!}

{sfa girls came!}

{my head looks weird in this picture}

{but...i'm thankful for this boy! totes blessed by his friendship!}

{we became friends this night. hahah. so glad you were at dinner!}

Now...the trip home...by myself. Good news is that it went well! No flat tires this time :) I did take pictures of myself every hour (gotta  have something to look forward to during an 8 hour trip!) 

 {well that was fun! Haha.}

{Btw...it's hard to take a picture of yourself holding up two hands...and driving...at night.}

It was sad to leave, but...i'm thankful to be back with my family. I was kinda/super depressed today and my sisters tried hard to get me to snap out of it and count my blessings. My life would be stupid without them. For real. I praise the Lord for them. I really really do. They are my number one fans [for some strange reason], and I love them so much!

 {this is our most recent picture together!}

enjoying the journey,

gal

I'm just thankful.

Pretty much friday morning, I officially decided that i wanted to go to east texas to see my college bestie, Alyssa, perform for Miss ETBU and then I could just stay there until next Saturday, when I will judge Tiger Awards. Well, here's an update on how my trip went yesterday:

I planned on waking up at 6:45, and leaving by 8:00am saturday morning, but...i woke up at 8:30 and left at 9:45. Awesome.

I then decided that since i was already late i would go to sonic and order a Dr. Pepper....because it is definitely a necessity this early in the morning. Well, I ordered a Dr.Pepper with EASY ice, and the sweet woman brought me one with EXTRA ice. Perfect. Thanks.

So then I left....and all was pretty well (I mean, as well as it could have being about 6 1/2 hours in to an 8 hour trip!) and then...I heard a pop...then my car kinda jerked off the road (going about 70...plus about 3 or 4), and i pulled off to the shoulder to find my back left tire completely flat. Great.

So, I called caleb, my sister, my mom, my brother, my brother-in-law, and then....sat in my car. I was scared. All by myself. Around no one that I knew. And no idea what to do. I cried. It was sad and pitiful.

Then caleb called and said he called someone that he knew to come help me (at which time he informed me that the man coming to help me was a real nice, chubby man, so i felt better about life.) While I was waiting, two teenage boys stopped to try to help me...so nice. And then a rather manly woman in a hatchback stopped to help me. I kindly told her I had things under control. Haha. I'm sure she thought i was crazy....standing on the side of the road with a dress on, looking at my tire like i was completely clueless...

So finally, the nice man came. he was the best. Words cannot describe how thankful I was for him. It was so sweet of him to ditch whatever he was doing to come help a dumb girl. I prayed God's blessings upon that sweet man. 

So...i got on the road with my baby spare tire (that looks like a bicycle wheel, btw) and went 50 mph for the next 100 miles. Do you realize how slow 50 is? I don't think you do. I almost lost my mind.

I finally got to my bestie's pageant 20 minutes late.... lookin a hot mess, hair up from sweating from the tire incident. But, I didn't miss anything of hers! And I got to see her win Miss Congeniality. Yay, Lyss!

When I started thinking  about my day, I saw God's hand of provision in so many ways:

1. I was safe the entire time.

2. for some reason, i stopped to get gas earlier than i usually do, so I had plenty when I was stuck on the side of the road, so I got to leave my car on for a little longer so i didn't sweat to death.

3. One of my rear tires is the one that messed up... the sweet man that helped me said if it was one of my front ones that it would have been really bad. 

4. I was on the side of the road close to someone that Caleb knew.... instead of in the middle of no where where we knew no one.

5. I was only about 2 hours away from ETBU, so I could make it on my spare tire. As opposed to being like 5 hours away, and all tire places being closed since it was Saturday.

6. The two cars that stopped to help me before sweet Andy weren't creepers. They were actually nice and I didn't get raped.

I'm very blessed and very thankful for my current situation. Here's to hoping the rest of my trip goes well! Pictures to come hopefully...

For you have been my help, and in the shadow

 of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalm 63:7

Philippians 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content."


As I began thinking about it, there are quite a few things that I am not content with in my life. I would love to have a job, a house, be with my friends, etc.


The words in Philippians 4:11 show us that contentment is not something that just occurs naturally. It is natural for man to be discontent, and to complain. If we want contentment, we have to foster it. Paul says, "...I have learned...to be content." Which basically seems like he didn't know contentment at one time. He had to continually work at it. When he could finally say "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.", he was and old man stuck in prison! Contentment is something we have to gradually work at.


So, although i'm honestly not the most content person right now, I am working on it. It's crazy to think about how blessed I am, and so sad to think that most of the time I take my blessings for granted.  Hopefully one day I can say what Paul said and really be content! I'm just thankful that God continues to be merciful!


xo,
gal

undeserved blessings

This past weekend I had the huge privilege of going back to visit with my South Texas Children's Home (STCH) kids and to help with a Disciple Now for the STCH teenagers. I didn't realize how much I have missed everyone! I really do feel like they are part of my family! I had a wonderful time with the teenagers all weekend! God even used me to help lead a girl to Christ! Her name is Shania (I called her Sha-nay-nay)! Please pray for her if you think about it...she needs a lot of discipleship and encouragement, so pray that she is surrounded with people that will lift her up and help her in the right direction.

As most of you know, the little boy (along with many other kids) that stole my heart this summer was O'dell. He's the little 2 year old with the curly hair wearing my sunglasses in that picture to the right! I had not seen him at all since the summer (so it had been about 6 months). I was bracing myself for the fact that since he was so young, he would not remember me. Much to my surprise, he did!! As soon as I saw him, he ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug I've ever gotten from him, and he said "Da-yee!!!"  (which is how he says "Galilee"). It totally made my weekend...and week....and month..and probably my life. Haha. I love him so much and  am so glad I got to hang out with him for a little while.

God has been being so wonderful to me (As usual). He has been giving me small jobs to help provide me with a little bit of money, he's allowed me to help other people due to my open schedule, and he has placed so many people in my life that are so encouraging about my job hunt!  I know he has a job all lined up for me! I can't wait to hear about it :)

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Jeremiah 31:3

Snap back to reality...

...oh, there goes gravity...
Thank you, eminem. You know, sometimes I love eminem. I really do.

 But for real...i'm snapping back to reality. College, Graduation, Christmas, frequent dates with caleb, and all that fun is over. Things to look forward to now:
1. Finding a job.
2. Living out of boxes/bags.

I can't wait to see the job that God is going to give me! I know it's going to be great! Living out of boxes is just a little irritating...or a lot irritating. I have no idea where anything is. ever :)

Trying to cherish my time though!